LECTURE THEATRES FOR TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL (BACK PAGE, LEAD, DEC 21, 2010)

MEDICAL students of the University for Development Studies (UDS) can now undertake clinical training at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) following the completion of theatres for lectures and medical conferencing at the hospital.
The three blocks of lecture and conference halls on the premises of the hospital were funded by the UDS at a cost of GH¢319,000.
After touring the facility, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. David Miller, expressed delight at the early completion of the project and the quality of work done.
“This project began on 3rd August, this year and already it has been completed and is ready for use,” he stated.
He expressed the hope that the facility would be used and maintained appropriately.
The Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) at the UDS, Dr Edward Gyader, who received the keys to the facility, said it would be of tremendous help to both the UDS and the TTH in the training of medical students and in the delivery of health services.
“Initially, all our students could not have medical conferences at the same time because the hospital’s conference room was too small to contain them,” he noted.
Dr Gyader said now the clinicians and the students could have medical conferences and other important lectures alongside the clinical activities.
He revealed that currently the UDS had 180 students undertaking clinical training, adding that 30 of them were in their senior clerkship, which is the final clinical rotation before the students sit for their part two medical examinations.
The dean again pointed out that in spite of the limited resources, the UDS and the TTH had managed to provide the requisite training for the students and expressed confidence in the quality of doctors who would be produced.
“Very soon our first batch of students who had all their training in the UDS and the TTH will be graduating and we believe they will make their mark in medical practice,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the construction of a 48-bed student hostel for the medical school has also been completed on the premises of the hospital and some of the students have moved in.
Majority of the students are, however, living in private rented houses and an additional hostel is needed to help address the accommodation challenges facing the students.